One Covid patient of Kurseong dies at NBMCH

SNS, SILIGURI, 2 JULY 2022 : A person who had tested positive for Covid-19 died at the North Bengal Medical College and Hospital (NBMCH) today.

The first death of a Covid patient after some months in north Bengal has flagged concerns. NBMCH authorities, however, said the person had comorbidities.

"Though the patient had been tested positive for Covid-19, she was also diagnosed with aspiration pneumonia. She died due to aspiration pneumonia," said NBMCH superintendent Dr Sanjay Mallik.

The 40-year-old resident of Chunabhati in Kurseong had been admitted to the Covid block of the hospital on Wednesday, sources said.

Medical experts said aspiration pneumonia is pneumonia caused by something other than air being inhaled (aspirated) into one's respiratory tract. These non-air substances can he food, liquid, saliva, stomach contents, toxins or even a small foreign object. Sources said 13 Covid patients have been admitted to the hospital presently.

Public health experts tracking the Covid graph attributed "reckless and undisciplined behavior" of a section of the people for the cases of the coronavirus resurfacing.

"Most of the people on the roads, in markets and on public transport are still reluctant to put on masks despite the rising number of Covid cases.

Using mask is one of the important weapons to keep the virus at hay. Even at the hospitals many people are roaming around without masks. People should not be overconfi11dent with the low hospitalisation rate and handful of deaths. We can hope the emerging situation will make them aware about adhering to the Covid protocol," said an expert.

Meanwhile, NBMCH principal Prof Indrajit Saha said they had adequate infrastructure for the treatment of Covid patients. "We had ramped up the infrastructure at the hospital during the second wave and third wave and it is still in place. If there is a significant spurt in Covid cases, we would he able to tackle the situation, given the existing arrangements and manpower," Prof Saha said.